Dispenser and related dispensing method

ABSTRACT

A dispenser for dispensing topically applied viscous fluids from a container is provided. The dispenser includes a cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein. The dispensing orifice includes a center portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from the center portion such that viscous fluid dispensed from the container has an upper surface with a plurality of ridges formed therein. A lid is also provided. The lid has a projection arranged thereon. The projection on the lid having a configuration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and being arranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of copendingU.S. design patent filed on May 23, 2003, which is incorporated byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention pertains to dispensers for topically-appliedviscous fluids for personal care such as lotions, creams and gels, andrelated methods.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Topically-applied viscous fluids for personal care such as bodymoisturizing lotions and creams, sun block and sunscreen lotions, bodyand hair gels and medicinal lotions and creams are frequently dispensedfrom containers either by squeezing the container itself or via amechanism such as a hand pump. A wide variety of different types ofdispensers exist for such topical lotion containers. Unfortunately,existing lotion dispensers have a number of problems. One such problem,particularly with dispensers for body moisturizing lotions, is that thedispensed lotion has a thick, heavy appearance that is unappealing tomany consumers. Thus, a need exists for a dispenser that improves theappearance of the dispensed lotion as well as addresses other problemswith existing lotion dispensers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Accordingly in view of the foregoing, the invention provides adispenser for dispensing topically-applied viscous fluids for personalcare such as lotions, creams, or gels from a container that provides thedispensed fluid with an aesthetically pleasing appearance. The dispenserincludes a cap arranged on the container with a dispensing orificeprovided therein. The dispensing orifice includes a center portion andat least three legs that radiate outward from the center portion suchthat viscous fluid dispensed from the container has an upper surfacewith a plurality of ridges formed therein. As a result of thisconfiguration, the dispensed fluid has a plurality of ridges formed inthe surface thereof which give the dispensed fluid a lighter, whippedappearance.

[0005] Desirably, the dispenser further includes a lid, the lidpreferably including a projection arranged thereon. The projection onthe lid has a configuration that is complementary to the dispensingorifice, and is arranged on the lid such that the projection extendsinto the dispensing orifice when the lid is in the closed position.

[0006] These and other features and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the description of the invention provided herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative container having adispenser constructed in accordance with the present inventionincorporated into an exemplary container cap.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0009]FIG. 3 is top plan view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0010]FIG. 4 is side view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a front view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a side view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cap and dispenser of FIG. 1.

[0014]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of adispenser according to the present invention incorporated into anillustrative cap of an exemplary container.

[0015]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofa dispenser according to the present invention incorporated into anillustrative cap of an exemplary container.

[0016]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another alternativeembodiment of a dispenser according to the present inventionincorporated into an illustrative cap of an exemplary container.

[0017]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment ofa dispenser according to the present invention incorporated into anillustrative cap of an exemplary container.

[0018]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another alternativeembodiment of a dispenser according to the present inventionincorporated into an illustrative cap of an exemplary container.

[0019]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a dab of lotion dispensed via adispenser according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings there is shown anillustrative container 12 having a cap 14 incorporating a dispenseraccording to the present invention. The illustrated container 12consists of a conventional squeeze container for dispensing a topicallotion. However, it will be understood that the present invention is notlimited for use with any particular container type or configuration.Instead, the present invention can be used with any container withinwhich topically-applied viscous fluids can be stored. Moreover, thepresent invention is not limited to dispensing any particulartopically-applied viscous fluid, rather it can be used with any suitabletopically-applied viscous fluid including, for example, lotions, gelsand creams such as body moisturizers, sun-blocks, sunscreens, hair gelsand colorants, and medicines. As used herein, the term lotiongenerically refers to all of the topically-applied viscous fluids withwhich the present invention may be used.

[0021] Fluids suitable for use in connection with the inventive deviceand method desirably have a viscosity that permits the fluid to retainthe shape imparted to the fluid by the orifice described herein upondispensing from the container. In this regard, the fluid desirably has aviscosity of at least 10,000 centipoise, more desirably 35,000centipoise, up to about 75,000 centipoises. The viscosity of the fluid(at 25° C.) may be determined using a Brookfield Viscometer RVT-F at 5rpm.

[0022] The fluids desirably used in the present invention, whiletypically non-toxic, are not intended to be edible. These fluids,commonly used to enhance the skin (dermis) and/or hair, are water-basedand may contain any number of components in addition to water, such assurfactants, oils, fragrances and the like. Illustrative of onedermatologically-enhancing fluid is a body lotion that comprises water,oil, an emulsifier, and a humectant. In addition to the primarycomponents, optional components include fragrances, colorants (e.g., toimpart uniform or varying (such as stripes) coloration to the dispersedproduct), and reflective particles (e.g., flakes to impart a sparkleeffect to the product).

[0023] In the illustrated embodiment, the cap 14 has a generallycylindrical configuration including an upper wall 16 and a sidewall 18depending downward from the upper wall (see FIGS. 1 and 2). The cap 14can be secured to the container 12 by any suitable method including athreaded or snap-on connection or the cap could be integral with thebody of the container. While the illustrated cap 14 has a generallycircular cross-section, the cap is not limited to any particular shapeor configuration. For example, an embodiment wherein a dispenseraccording to the invention is incorporated into a cap 14 having agenerally rectangular cross-section is shown in FIG. 12.

[0024] For dispensing lotion from the container 12, the cap 14 includesan orifice or aperture 20 configured such that the dispensed lotion hasa light and fluffy appearance that is appealing to consumers. To thisend, the dispensing orifice 20 has a generally star or asterisk shapeincluding a plurality of legs 24 that radiate outward from a centerportion 22 of the orifice (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 7). In this case, eachof the legs 24 of the orifice 20 consists of a pair of opposing andparallel sidewalls 26 that are joined at their distal ends by an endwall 28 that extends perpendicular to the pair of sidewalls 26 (see,e.g., FIG. 7). As a result of this orifice configuration, the dispensedlotion has a plurality of ridges formed in the surface that give thedispensed lotion (see FIG. 13) an aesthetically pleasing lighter,whipped appearance. The dispensing orifice 20 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7includes a center portion 22 and five radiating legs 24. However, thedispensed lotion will have a similar appearance if an orifice 20 havinga different number of radiating legs 24 is used. For example,embodiments wherein the orifice 20 has six and four radiating legs 24are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, respectively. To achieve the desiredappearance of the dispensed lotion, the orifice should have at least 3radiating legs, but could have 4, 5 or 6 legs. More legs could be addeddepending on the size of the orifice.

[0025] In the illustrated embodiment, the lotion is forced out of thecontainer 12 through the orifice 20 by squeezing the body of thecontainer. However, other methods of dispensing the lotion from thecontainer 12 could be used. For example, the cap could include ahand-operated pump that draws the lotion out of the container. In such acase, the dispensing orifice can be located at the discharge end of thepump.

[0026] To shield the dispensing orifice 20 when the dispenser is not inuse, the cap 14 can include an associated lid 30. In this instance, thelid 30 has a generally circular shape that complements the shape of thecap 14. The illustrated lid 30 comprises a flip-top lid that isconnected to the cap 14 via a flexible hinge 31 that permits the lid 30to pivot between open and closed positions. In the open position, thelid 30 is pivoted upward and away from the upper wall 16 of the cap 14so as to facilitate dispensing of lotion from the container 12. In theclosed position, the lid 30 overlies the upper wall 16 of the cap 14. Toensure that the lid 30 seals tightly against the upper wall 16 of thecap 14, the lid includes a downwardly extending peripheral skirt 32 thatfits over an annular ridge 34 on the upper wall of the cap 14 when thelid is in the closed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2). It will be understoodthat a lid other than a hinged lid could be used such as a separatesnap- or screw-on lid.

[0027] To further seal the dispensing orifice 20 as well as clean-outany lotion remnants, the lid 30 includes a complementarily shapedprojection 36 on the inside or lower surface of the lid 30. Thisprojection 36 is aligned with the dispensing orifice 20 such that whenthe lid 30 is placed in the closed position, the projection 36 extendsinto the dispensing orifice 20 thereby displacing any lotion remnants inthe orifice and sealing the orifice closed. In the illustratedembodiment, the dispensing orifice 20 is arranged in a raised section 38in the center of the upper wall 16 of the cap 14 (see FIGS. 2 and 4-6).

[0028] To facilitate insertion of the projection 36 into the orifice 20,the projection 36 is surrounded by an annular wall 40 (see FIG. 2) thatis configured and arranged so as to extend in surrounding relation tothe raised section 38 in the upper wall 16 of the cap 14 when the lid 30is in the closed position. Of course, the dispensing orifice 20 could bearranged flush with surface of the upper wall 16 of the cap 14 in whichcase the annular wall around the projection could be eliminated as shownin FIG. 9. Additionally, a lid 30 that does not include any projectionfor sealing the orifice could be used as shown in FIG. 8.

[0029] From the foregoing, it can be seen that a novel dispenser fortopically applied viscous fluids has been provided. In contrast toconventional dispenser configurations such as round dispensing orificeswhich give the dispensed fluid a heavy, thick appearance, the dispenserof the present invention gives the dispensed fluid an aestheticallypleasing lighter, whipped appearance by producing a plurality of ridgesin the upper surface of the dispensed fluid.

[0030] All references, including publications, patent applications, andpatents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the sameextent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicatedto be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entiretyherein.

[0031] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referentsin the context of describing the invention (especially in the context ofthe following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular andthe plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing”are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, butnot limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of valuesherein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referringindividually to each separate value falling within the range, unlessotherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated intothe specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methodsdescribed herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwiseindicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The useof any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”)provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the inventionand does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe invention.

[0032] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein,including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out theinvention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by theinvention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for dispensing a topically-appliedviscous fluid from a container comprising: forcing the topically-appliedviscous fluid through a dispensing orifice provided in the container,the dispensing orifice having a center portion and at least three legswhich radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orificesuch that the dispensed viscous fluid has a plurality of ridges formedin the surface thereof; and closing the dispensing orifice with a lidthat includes a projection having a configuration that is complementaryto the dispensing orifice such that the projection extends into thedispensing orifice.
 2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the stepof forcing the topically-applied fluid through the dispensing orifice isaccomplished by squeezing the container.
 3. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the step of closing the dispensing orifice isaccomplished by pivoting the lid about a hinge connecting the lid to acontainer cap within which the orifice is arranged.
 4. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.
 5. Themethod according to claim 4, wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4to 6 legs.
 6. A dispenser for dispensing topically-applied viscousfluids from a container comprising: a cap arranged on the container andhaving a dispensing orifice therein, the dispensing orifice including acenter portion and at least three legs which radiate outward from thecenter portion of the dispensing orifice; and a lid connected to the capby hinge such that the lid is movable between open and closed positions,the lid having a projection arranged thereon, the projection having aconfiguration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and beingarranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensingorifice when the lid is in the closed position.
 7. The dispenseraccording to claim 6 wherein the orifice is arranged in a raised portionof an upper wall of the cap.
 8. The dispenser according to claim 7wherein a wall is arranged on the lid in surrounding relation to theprojection such that when the lid is in the closed position the wallextends in surrounding relation to the raised portion of the upper wallof the cap.
 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the viscousfluid is a body lotion.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein thedispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.
 11. A dispenser for dispensingtopically-applied viscous fluids from a container comprising: a caparranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein, thedispensing orifice including a center portion and at least three legswhich radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensing orifice;and a lid having a projection arranged thereon, the projection having aconfiguration that is complementary to the dispensing orifice and beingarranged on the lid such that the projection extends into the dispensingorifice when the lid is in the closed position.
 12. The dispenseraccording to claim 11, wherein the orifice is arranged in a raisedportion of an upper wall of the cap.
 13. The dispenser according toclaim 12 wherein a wall is arranged on the lid in surrounding relationto the projection such that when the lid is in the closed position thewall extends in surrounding relation to the raised portion of the upperwall of the cap.
 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein theviscous fluid is a body lotion.
 15. The method according to claim 14,wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6 legs.
 16. A dispenser fordispensing topically-applied viscous fluids from a container comprisinga cap arranged on the container and having a dispensing orifice therein,the dispensing orifice including a center portion and at least threelegs which radiate outward from the center portion of the dispensingorifice such that viscous fluid dispensed from the container has anupper surface with a plurality of ridges formed therein.
 17. Thedispenser according to claim 16 further including a lid that can bearranged over the dispensing orifice.
 18. The dispenser according toclaim 17 wherein the lid is a flip-top lid.
 19. The method according toclaim 18, wherein the viscous fluid is a body lotion.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19, wherein the dispensing orifice has from 4 to 6legs.